Lightning Rod
Gen IIIAll other Pokémon's single-target Electric-type moves are redirected to this Pokémon if it is an eligible target. Other Pokémon's Electric moves raise this Pokémon's Special Attack one stage, negating any other effect on it, and cannot miss it. If the move's intended target also has this ability, the move is not redirected. When multiple Pokémon with this ability are possible targets for redirection, the move is redirected to the one with the highest Speed stat, or, in the case of a tie, to a random tied Pokémon. Follow Me takes precedence over this ability. If the Pokémon is a Ground-type and thus immune to Electric moves, its immunity prevents the Special Attack boost.
Lightning Rod in Battle
Introduced in Generation III, Lightning Rod redirects all single-target Electric-type moves from any Pokemon on the field to the Lightning Rod user. When an Electric move hits this Pokemon, it is completely nullified and instead raises the user's Special Attack by one stage.
This makes Lightning Rod both a protective ability in Double Battles -- shielding partners from Electric attacks like Thunderbolt -- and an offensive setup tool that converts enemy attacks into stat boosts. The redirection functions even in Single Battles, where the Pokemon simply absorbs the incoming Electric move for a free boost.
Since Generation V, Lightning Rod grants full immunity to Electric damage. Prior to that, it only redirected moves without negating their damage, and non-damaging Electric moves like Thunder Wave were completely unaffected by the redirection. Found on 17 Pokemon including Raichu, Manectric, Zebstrika, Togedemaru, and Seaking.
Pokemon With Lightning Rod (19)
| # ▲ | Name | Type | Other Abilities | Hidden? | HP | Atk | Def | SpA | SpD | Spe | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #025 |  | Pikachu | HA | 35 | 55 | 40 | 50 | 50 | 90 | 320 | ||
| #026 |  | Raichu | HA | 60 | 90 | 55 | 90 | 80 | 110 | 485 | ||
| #104 |  | Cubone | Regular | 50 | 50 | 95 | 40 | 50 | 35 | 320 | ||
| #105 |  | Marowak | Regular | 60 | 80 | 110 | 50 | 80 | 45 | 425 | ||
| #105 | | Alolan Marowak | Cursed BodyRock Head (HA) | Regular | 60 | 80 | 110 | 50 | 80 | 45 | 425 | |
| #111 |  | Rhyhorn | Regular | 80 | 85 | 95 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 345 | ||
| #112 |  | Rhydon | Regular | 105 | 130 | 120 | 45 | 45 | 40 | 485 | ||
| #118 |  | Goldeen | HA | 45 | 67 | 60 | 35 | 50 | 63 | 320 | ||
| #119 |  | Seaking | HA | 80 | 92 | 65 | 65 | 80 | 68 | 450 | ||
| #172 |  | Pichu | HA | 20 | 40 | 15 | 35 | 35 | 60 | 205 | ||
| #309 |  | Electrike | Regular | 40 | 45 | 40 | 65 | 40 | 65 | 295 | ||
| #310 |  | Manectric | Regular | 70 | 75 | 60 | 105 | 60 | 105 | 475 | ||
| #311 |  | Plusle | HA | 60 | 50 | 40 | 85 | 75 | 95 | 405 | ||
| #464 |  | Rhyperior | Solid RockReckless (HA) | Regular | 115 | 140 | 130 | 55 | 55 | 40 | 535 | |
| #522 |  | Blitzle | Regular | 45 | 60 | 32 | 50 | 32 | 76 | 295 | ||
| #523 |  | Zebstrika | Regular | 75 | 100 | 63 | 80 | 63 | 116 | 497 | ||
| #777 |  | Togedemaru | Iron BarbsSturdy (HA) | Regular | 65 | 98 | 63 | 40 | 73 | 96 | 435 | |
| #871 |  | Pincurchin | Electric Surge (HA) | Regular | 48 | 101 | 95 | 91 | 85 | 15 | 435 | |
| #10065 |  | Sceptile Mega | – | Regular | 70 | 110 | 75 | 145 | 85 | 145 | 630 |
Effect Changes
| Version | Change Description |
|---|---|
| Emerald | Has no overworld effect. |
| Diamond Pearl | Does not affect non-damaging Electric moves, i.e. Thunder Wave. Increases the frequency of Match Call calls on the overworld if any party Pokémon has this ability. |
| Black White | Redirects Electric moves without negating them or granting any Special Attack boost. Does not redirect Hidden Power. |